Arrangement for biological decomposition of excrements and kitchen refuse and the like

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system for biological decomposition of excrements and kitchen refuse and the like comprising a closable inlet-chute and chamber arranged below the chute for receiving the refuse, said chamber being provided with air supply channels and a ventilation outlet stack, and an outlet hatch for the decomposed material.

United States Patent Gedde Dec. 2, 1975 ARRANGEMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF EXCREMENTS AND KITCHEN REFUSE AND THE LIKE Tore Gedde, 3020 Krokstadelva, Norway Filed: Oct. 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 407,676

lnventor:

US. Cl. 195/142; 195/144; 210/221; 210/256 Int. Cl. C02C l/02 Field of Search 195/142, 143, 144, 140; 210/218, 220, 221,170, 259, 261, 63, 256; 261/124 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1962 Ballzmtyne et a1. 195/142 X Primary Examiner-A. Louis Monacell Assistant ExaminerEsther L. Massung Attorney, Agent, or Firm-N0lte and Nolte 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,923,605

ARRANGEMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF EXCREMENTS AND KITCHEN REFUSE AND THE LIKE The purpose of the invention is to provide such a system which gives very effective decomposition of the refuse and which can work continuously. This is obtained in a system of the above mentioned type characterized in that a chamber is formed by a cylindrical container divided by vertical partitions into a number of chambers, in that said container is surrounded by an outer container which is stationary while the inner container is turnable about a central, vertical axis inside the outer container, in that the chambers of the inner container in the lower part are provided with outlet hatches which by turning of the inner container can be lined up as desired with the outlet hatch in the outer container, and in that air supply to said chambers takes place through a pipe arranged centrally in the inner container and having openings into the chambers.

For better understanding of the invention, it will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the embodiment shown as an example only on the drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-section of the system, and

FIG. 2 shows the cross-section along the line lIII in picture 1.

The system shown consists of two concentric containers 3, 4 of cylindrical shape standing vertically on a floor or on the ground. The material of the containers can be fiberglass reinforced polyester. As desired, two or more sections can be arranged together depending on the number of persons using the system of the unnecessary usage period. Three sections are shown in FIG. 1. The lower part is standard and has a flat bottom 12 which is insulated with polyurethane foam. This bottom has a heating element (not shown). Which is coupled to a thermostat (also not shown) which is set at the temperature giving best bacterial growth, the heating element and thermostat being entirely conventional in form.

Also in the lower section of the outer container a door 15 is cut out of the wall and supplied with rabbet, gasket, hinges and a closure. This door 15 enables as described hereinafter the removal of the decomposed material as desired.

Alongside the door can be mounted a vertical liquid level indicator (not shown), e.g. in the form of a clear plastic hose attached vertically to the container to indi cate the level of liquid in the outer container which has passed from the inner container through the perforated bottom thereof. This liquid level indicator signals that drainage of liquid should liquid level become too high. Too high a liquid level is not probable due to normal evaporation, but surplus liquid can be recycled through the inlet opening and gives extra moistening of the refuse which in turn enhances the possibilities of good bacterial activity.

The upper part is also standard and is supplied with a inlet tube 1 with a lid or seat 2. In the sidewall of this part is mounted a pipe elbow for connection to a ventilation outlet stack 9. An evacuating fan can be installed in the stack if desired.

The middle section or sections serves only to increase the height of the system, i.e. to increase the volume as desired.

The inner container 4 is somewhat smaller in diameter than the outer container 3. There should be a clearance 16 of about 3 mm. The inner container 4 is also divided into sections like the outer container and can be assembled with the same relationship. In the lower part of this container 4 are arranged four doors 11. These are preferably hinged at the bottom and closed with a snap lock. No rabbet or gasket is needed as sealing is not necessary. The bottom 4' of this part is perforated with many small holes so that liquid wastes seep through the solids and pass through the perforations to accumulate in the outer container where the liquid level can be observed by means of the liquid level, supra.

In the center of this bottom is mounted a support 13 of the inner container 4 so that it becomes turnable within the outer container 3. Inside the inner container 4 is arranged a central tube 5 which is connected to four partitions 8 which divide the container into four chambers 10.

A mushroom formed cap 6 is arranged on the center tube a distance above the bottom. This cap has an opening for the center tube so that downwardly flowing fresh air can be distributed in the cap. From the cap a tube 7 perforated on the bottom side extends upwardly at an angle to each chamber 10 and supplies fresh air and thereby oxygen to the material with which the chamber is gradually filled. The oxygen effects the bacterial growth and increases the rate of decomposition.

The system functions as follows:

The system is placed in a basement, cottage or outhouse. If it is to be used daily, electrical power and a evacuation fan should be connected. A turning handle 14 is found on the upper part of the center tube 5. The inner container 4 is rotated to a position so that one of the chambers 10 is located directly below the inlet tube 1. When this chamber is filled, the inner container 4 is once more turned until the next chamber is located below the inlet tube 1. One continues like this until the chambers are filled.

At this time, the material filled into the first chamber has compacted and been decomposed so that the softened, decomposed material can be removed by open ing the outer door 15 of the outer container 3, the outer door preferably being hinged on the side. The door 11 of the correct compartment of the inner container 4 is correctly alined so that this door can be swung down and out through the opening in the outer container. As this door is hinged at the bottom, the door forms a curved transport surface whereon the decomposed material can be pulled out by means of a suitable tool. When so much material has been taken out that some material not fully decomposed appears, the doors are closed and the chamber is again used. One uses the same procedure for the other compartments.

The compartments can be used for kitchen refuse, paper, excrements or the like so that the contents of the compartments become layered with these elements while the material all the time is moistened by urine.

For cottages etc. where the system is not used continuously sufficient decomposition takes place at ambient temperature, but heating is considered necessary for systems installed for continuous use in residences.

The liquid seeping into the outer container is heated to about 40 C. The largest liquid surface is found in the inner container, and the warm moisture travels up through the material and enhances the conditions for decomposition. The fan in the stack 9 produces a vacuum in the container and induces fresh air to enter through the center tube 5 and of course evaporation of the liquid content of the unit. The air is collected in the mushroom shaped cap 6 and ascends due to the temperature increase and the vacuum, up through the four perforated tubes 7 to the upper part of the container 4, thereafter being evacuated through the stack 9. In this way the material is supplied with warm oxygen which increases the bacterial activity.

The inner container 4 should have some humus and leaves at the bottom when first used, so that bacteria are present and can multiply.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the biological decomposition of wastes comprising a first stationary container, a second container disposed within said first container to be turnable about a generally vertical axis, means for admitting air into said second container, at least one generally upright partition in said second container dividing said second container into a plurality of angularly spaced compartments, an inlet for waste material, said inlet being offset from a vertical axis about which said second container is turnable whereby a selected one of the compartments of said second container can be brought into register with said inlet, each compartment of said second container having a closable outlet and said first container having a closable outlet with which, by rotation of said second container the outlet of a se lected one of the outlets of said compartments can be brought into register whereby material in said compartment of which the outlet registers with the outlet of said first container can be removed through said outlets.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second container comprises means for delivering air to each of said compartments.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering air comprises an axial central tube and branches from said tube extending into each compartment.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said central tube extends substantially to the bottom of said second container and said branches extend upwardly from a region close to the bottom of said central tube at an angle to said central tube.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second container is secured to said central tube and said central tube is mounted for rotation, rotation of said central tube causing turning of said second container.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second container has a perforate base. 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF WASTES COMPRISING A FIRST STATIONARY CONTAINER, A SECOND CONTAINER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID FIRST CONTAINER TO BE TURNABLE ABOUT A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS, MEANS FOR ADMITTING AIR INTO SAID SECOND CONTAINER, AT LEAST ONE GENERALLY UPRIGHT PARTITION IN SAID SECOND CONTAINER DIVIDING SAID SECOND CONTAINER INTO A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY SPACED COMPARTMENTS, AN INLET FOR WASTE MATERIAL, SAID INLET BEING OFFSET FROM A VERTICAL AXIS ABOUT WHICH SAID SECOND CONTAINER IS TURNABLE WHEREBY A SELECTED ONE OF THE COMPARTMENTS OF SAID SECOND CONTAINER CAN BE BROUGHT INTO REGISTER WITH SAID INLET, EACH COMPARTMENT OF SAID SECOND CONTAINER HAVING A CLOSABLE OUTLET AND SAID FIRST CONTAINER HAVING A CLOSABLE OUTLET WITH WHICH, BY ROTATION OF SAID SECOND CONTAINER THE OUTLET OF A SELECTED ONE OF THE OUTLETS OF SAID COMPARTMENTS CAN BE BROUGHT INTO REGISTER WHEREBY MATERIAL IN SAID COMPARTMENT OF WHICH THE OUTLET REGISTERS WITH THE OUTLET OF SAID FIRST CONTAINER CAN BE REMOVED THROUGH SAID OUTLETS.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second container comprises means for delivering air to each of said compartments.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering air comprises an axial central tube and branches from said tube extending into each compartment.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said central tube extends substantially to the bottom of said second container and said branches extend upwardly from a region close to the bottom of said central tube at an angle to said central tube.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second container is secured to said central tube and said central tube is mounted for rotation, rotation of said central tube causing turning of said second container.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second container has a perforate base. 